Combustible-charge-forming device.



LA ROUX B. GIDDENS. COMBUSTIBLE CHARGE FORMING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 8, 1916.

Patented Mar. 6, 1917.

2 SHEETS--SHEET I- LA ROUX B. GIDDENS.

COMBUSTIBLE CHARGE FORMING DEVICE.

' APPLICATION FILED APR.8| I916.

Patented Mar. 6, 1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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if i an era GOIVIBUSTIBLE-GHARGE-FORMING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters latent.

Application filed April 8, 1916. Serial No. 89,845.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, LA Roux B. GIDDENS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Tampa, in the county of Hillsborough and State of Florida, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Combustible Charge-Forming Devices; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and

exact descriptionpf the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The present invention relates to improvements in combustible charge-forming devices for internal combustion engines in which kerosene or otherlow grade fuel may be employed to operate the engine, and in which fuel will be subjected to heat in a preheater or by-pass arranged in'communication indirectly with the exhaust manifold or exhaust pipe; and from which the preheated fuel is conveyed to a carbureting chamber where the same is atomized and combined with the necessary quantities of air, it being then delivered. to 'the intake manifold of the engine through an automatically operating combined fuel cut-off valve and control intake valve, and circulated through a passage in which are disposed a series of ofiset baflle plates.

The improved device, as hereinafter more fully described, is preferably employed in conjunction with alight or high grade fuel,

such as gasolene, which is utilized to start the engine and maintain its operation for a suficient time to insure the proper heating of the by-pass or pre-heater through which the kerosene or low grade fuel is to be subse- A With the foregoing and other objects in view the present invention, as will herein after more fully appear, consists in the constructions, combinations and arrangements as described and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

in describing my invention in detail reference will be had to the accompanying drawings, wherein like symbols refer to like parts in the several views, and in which: n

Figure 1 "is a diagrammatic view, with parts shown in elevation and in section, of an improved device as constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view through the carbureting chamber and associated parts.

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view through the pro-heater and taken on the line 33 in Fig. l; and

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of the swivel mechanism for connecting the control and fuel cut-off valves.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, 1 designates the cylinders of an internal combustion engine, from which the burned gases are conducted through the usual exhaust2. At 3 is indicated the intake manifold which is in communication with the improved mixing chamber and associated devices, as will be presently described.

Associated with either the exhaust manifold or the exhaust pipe, which is designated generally at 2, is' a by-pass or preheatcr, which, in the present instance, advantageously consists of an elongated cylindrical pipe 4 arranged in open circuit with said engineexhaust through nipples 5 and 6. The ends of the pre-heaterpipe 4: are inclosed by heads 7 and 8, between which are supported centrally within said pre-heater a hollow sleeve 9, the same forming with the interior wall of the pro-heater an annular chamber for the free circulation of the exhaust gases. By locating the pre-heater 4 without the exhaust 2, the kerosene or other low grade fuel employed is prevented from. attaining a high degree of heat, which would transform the same into gas, and by the employment of the hollow sleeve 9 the degree of heat imparted to the liquid kerosene will .be furtherreduced.

Centrally through the hollow sleeve 9 passes a pipe 7 10 of appreciably smaller diameter, so as not to come in contact with the former but leave an air space therein through which the heat may be transmitted. This pipe 10 is in communication with a .kerosene or other low grade fuel supply,v

which is indicated at 11 as being one compartment of a tank 12 partitioned 0d by di vision plate 13, and providing a second com-.

Patented Mar, a, rare,

The kerosene supply from the pipe 10, after passing through the pro-heater 4, is conveyed by pipe 18 to the head 16, the pasformed at one end with a valve seat 21,

against which is arranged to close a. needle valve 22 also controlled from the dash or instrument board, and which regulates primarily the delivery of both grades of fuel to the carbureting chamber 23, which is contained within a shell or casing 24. Tn direct communication with the passage 20 in the head 16 is a pipe 25 passing through a flanged plug 26 bolted or otherwise secured, as indicated at 27, to a similarly flanged offset 28 of the casing 24.

The pipe 25 extends through the plug 26 and into the carbureting chamber 23, where the same is directed upwardly, as indicated at 29, and where it is provided with a valve seat 30. Operating in conjunction with the valve seat 30, as an auxiliary control for the fuel, is a valve 31 carried on the lower end of a stem 32. The stem 32 extends through an open cage 33 threaded or otherwise secured to the valve seat 30, pipe 25, or other part, and forming at its upper end a bearing for one end of a coil spring 34, which encircles the valve stem 32 and normally opcrates to maintain said valve 31 seated. The valve stem 32 is connected by a swivel 35 with the lower end of a threaded rod 36, which adjustably engages through the hollow threaded lower end of the valve stem 37 of a control intake valve 38. The adjustment, after being made, is secured against possible displacement by lock nut'39 which 7 abuts against a head 40 formed on the lower end of said stem 37. The control valve 38 is yieldingly held against its seat 41 by a coil spring 42 operating against the head 40, as

In that side of the casing 24 op osite the flanged plug 26 is aflanged oifset4 ,inclosed by a removable head 44 through which access may be had to the interior of the carbureting chamber 23 for purposes of adjusting the threaded rod 36 in the stem 37, and for making other adjustments, repairs, or replacements of parts, as may be found necessary or desirable.

The lower end of the carbureting chamber clearly disclosed in Figs. 1 and 2.

23 is arrangedto connect with a pipe '45 through which air from the atmosphere is conveyed from a heater 46, of any suitable type, clamped about the exhaust 2. This heater 46 is in open communication with the atmosphere, through which air may be drawn into contact with the exhaust 2, and thereby become heated prior to delivery through the pipe 45 and to the carbureting .the spindle of a throttle valve 60.

chamber 23, where it encounters the incoming fuel issuing past the valve 31 and through the cage 33.

Surrounding the pipe 25, and disposed preferably between the head 16 and the flanged plug 26,. is a coil 47 in circuit with the vehicle storage battery, the closing of such circuit being under the control of a switch also located on the dash or instrument board of the vehicle; the purpose of such coil being to supply the place of the pro-heater or by-pass 4 in case the engine is to be startedv or initially operated on the kerosene or other low grade fuel. The upper end of the carbureting chamber 23 is inclosed by a threaded cap 48, from which depends a hollow sleeve 49 into which is slidably received the upper end of the stem 37 of the control value 38. I

A control rod 50 extends down within said hollow sleeve 49, and is normally held elevated at a distance above the end of the valve stem 37 by a coil or other spring 51 engaging against the upper face of the cap 48 and a head 52. Such coil spring 51 thus maintains the head 52 in contact with a cam 53 on a rock shaft 54. The rock shaft 54 is provided with an arm 55 connected by a link 56 to mechanism on the dash or instrument board of the vehicle. By operation of such link 56 and arm 55 the shaft 54 may be rocked to bring the lobe of the cam 53 down upon the head 52, and thereby move the control rod 50 against the opposition of the coil spring 51 down into close proximity to the upper end of the stem 37, and thereby limits the upward movement of the valve 38, thus diminishing the air sup ply.

The arm 55 on the rock shaft 54 is connected by a link 58 to a similar arm 59To1'1 he throttle valve 60 is located at the entrance of a tubular extension 61 of the casing 24. The tubular extension 61 is connected to the intake manifold 3 through a four-way coupling 62. Clamped between the union 63 of the extension 61 and the coupling 62 are the flanges 64 of a sleeve 65 disposed within said extension'61, and being provided with staggered baflie plates 66 whereby the incoming charge will be subjected to azigzag course, such as will have the effect of bringing the air and fuel particles into intimate contact to promote a homogeneous mixture.

The ends of the hollow sleeve 65 are inclosed by gauze heads 67 and 68, which have the effect of finely subdividing the charge particles and effecting-a more complete mixture thereof. These gauze heads 67 and 68 have the further effect of preventing the back-fire or false explosion from passing back to the carbureting chamber 23 and other parts of the apparatus. The lower branch-69 of the four-way coupling 62 is formed with'a valve seat 70 for receiving a safety valve 71.

The valve 71 carries a stem 72 on which is a head 73. A coil spring 74 encircles the stem The intake manifold 3, in accordance with the diflerent makes of engines, is connected either to the branch 75, as in the case shown inthe present drawings, or to the branch I 76 which, in the present instance, is shown covered by a removable plate 77.

The operation of the above described invention may be substantially as follows:

For the initial operation of the engine 1, gasolene or other high grade fuel from the supply tank .14 is permitted to flow through the pipe 15 by opening the valve 17 and needle valve 22. The needle valve 22 being open, admits the gasolenc into the head 16, where it flows through the passage'20, into the pipe 25, and therethrough to the carbureting chamber 23 where it is liberated under the control of the valve 31. This valve 31, by means of the connections above described, is operated to open when the suction of the engine unseats the control valve 3.8. The air valve 38 unseating, the suction will draw in air from the atmosphere through the heater 46 about the exhaust 2 and through the pipe 45 to the carbureting chamber 23, where such heated air will encounter the fuel issuing from the valve 31 and through ,the cage 33. lhe combined air and fuel will thereupon pass into the head of the carbureting chamber 23 above the air valve 38, and as controlled by the throttle valve 60 will pass through the hol' low sleeve ina tortuous course as compelled by the staggered bafiie plates 66, and

thence through the coupling 62 and into the intake manifold 3.

The engine 1 is operated on the high grade fuel for such a length of time as is suilicient to attain a reasonably high degree of heat in the pre-heater 4; and when such time has arrived, the'valve 17 is closed to cut off the gasolene supply and the valve 19 opened to admit the kerosene from the tank 11. The kerosene will thus be conveyed through the pipe 10, passing through .the pre-heater 4, where its temperature will be slightly raised to put it in condition for ready mixture with the heated air in the carbureting chamber 23. From the preheater 4 the kerosene passes, by means of the pipe 18 and through the valve 19, to the head 16 in quantities as controlled by the needle valve 22. From the head 16 the kerosene passes through the pipe25 and into the "carbureting chamber 23, where it encounters the heated air in a manner similar to that described above of the gasolenc, and it need not be repeated here.

In case the vehicle operator finds that his supply of gasolene or other high grade fuel is exhausted, the engine 1 may be started on the gerosene by the use of the electric coil 47, which is placed in closed circuit by a switch on the dash or instrument board,

and the same then operates substantially in various constructions, combinations and arrangements of parts, I do not desire to be limited to any such features of construction except as may be required by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a. combustible charge forming device, the combination of a casing, a fuel supply in communication with said casing, an air supply also in communication with said casing, a carbureting chamber With n said casing, a fuel cut-off valve located in said casing, a control valve above said carbureting chamber, means for connecting said control and cut-off valves including a swivel connection, and means for regulating the throw of said control valve, substantially as described.

2. In a combustible charge forming device, the combination of a casing providing a carbureting chamber, a fuel supply in communication with said chamber, an air supply also in communication with said chamber, a fuel cut-off valve in said casing, a control valve disposed in said casing, spring means for seating said cut-off and control valves, a swivel connection uniting said valves for simultaneous opening, and means for regulating the throw of said control valve, substantially as described.

3. In a combustible charge forming de vice, the combination of a casing providing -a carbureting chamber, fuel supplies ar a control valve, a stem projecting from said with said cam, substantially as described.

5. In a combustible charge forming device of the character described, the combination of a casing, a carbureting chamber located within said casing, a fuel supply, means placing said fuel supply in communication with said chamber, an air supply also in communication with said chamber, a fuel cut-off valve, a stem on said valve, a control valve operable by the engine suction, stems projecting from said control valve, a rod coupled to one stem, a swivel uniting said rod and cut-off valve stem, a sleeve slidably receiving the other of said control valve stems, a rod movably mounted in said sleeve and adapted to engage the control valve stem and limit the movement ofthe control valve, a cam for adjusting'said rod, and

, spring means for holding said rod in contact with said cam, substantially as described.

(i. In a device of the character described, the combination of a casing, a carbureting chamber formed within said casing, a fuel supply, means placing said fuel supply in communication with said carbureting chamber, an air supply also in communication with said carbureting chamber, means for heating the air, a fuel cut-0H valve in said casing, a control valve, connections between said control and cutofi valve including the I regulating the throw of chamber provided within said casing, low

and high grade fuel supplies in communication with said carbureting chamber, a heater for said low grade fuel supply, an air supply in communication with said carbureting chamber, means for heating said air, a cut-off valve in said casing, spring means for seating said valve, a control valve, spring means for seating said control valve, connections between said valves including a swivel, means for regulating the throw of said control valve, a head formed on said casing beyond said carbureting chamber, an extension communicating with said head and adapted to be connected to the engine intake, a throttle valve in said extension, means for connecting said throttle valve and control valve regulator for simultaneous operation, and a homogenizer in said extension, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signa ture.

LA oux B. GIDDENS. 

